# Who is a Leader?

> The debate on leadership and about what makes a good leader is a long standing one. There have been many theories & schools of thought regarding leadership.

- Source: https://bodhih.com/who-is-a-leader/
- Publisher: Bodhih Training (Bengaluru, India; since 2008)
- Last updated: 2026-10-15
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The debate on leadership and about what makes a good leader is a long standing one. There have been many theories & schools of thought regarding leadership.

A leader is a person who influences and empowers others and translates a vision into reality, regardless of seniority, title or a fixed set of personal attributes. Leadership is a process of social influence that maximises the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal. Studies and practical examples show it is not simply an inborn quality.

Last updated 15 Oct 2026 · Bodhih Insights team · reviewed by [Siddharthan VGJ](https://bodhih.com/siddharthan-vgj/), Founder

The debate on leadership and about what makes a good leader is a long standing one. There have been many theories and schools of thought regarding leadership. The most famous of these debates is the one about whether leadership is an acquired trait or an inborn quality. Many studies and practical examples have established the fact that leadership has absolutely nothing to do with seniority, titles or a set of personal attributes. Many business forethinkers say that the only acceptable definition of leadership is the ability to empower others, translating vision into reality and influence others. It is a process of social influence, which maximises the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal.

## Quick answers

### Is leadership an inborn quality or an acquired trait?

This is a long-standing debate, but many studies and practical examples show that leadership does not depend on seniority, titles or a particular set of personal attributes. Because it is defined by the ability to empower and influence others towards a goal, it can be developed rather than being purely inborn.